Saludar in risky Puerto Rico defense
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Aug 2019
WBO minimumweight champion Vic Saludar of Cotabato del Sur stakes his crown against mandatory challenger Wilfredo (Bimbito) Mendez in the Ballroom of the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan on Aug. 24 with the daunting task of overcoming the homecourt disadvantage in his second title defense.
Saludar, 28, is one of four reigning Filipino world champions with super WBA welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao, super WBA bantamweight beltholder Nonito Donaire, Jr. and IBF superflyweight ruler Jerwin Ancajas the others. He took the WBO 105-pound title on a unanimous 12-round decision over Ryuya Yamanaka in Kobe last July and turned back Masataka Taniguchi in his first defense in Tokyo last February. Saludar?s record is 19-3, with 10 KOs. His losses were to Powell Balaba via retirement in Cagayan de Oro in 2013, Kosei Tanaka on a sixth round stoppage in Nagoya in 2015 and Toto Landero on a split 10-round decision in Mandaue in 2017.
Mendez, 22, is the new ?nino bonito? of Puerto Rico where the WBO is based. He rose to the No. 1 position despite a low quality of opposition with nine of his 13 victories coming against fighters with more losses than wins. A victim Ramon Cedano was beaten twice by Mendez, once when his record was 2-38 and a second time when it was 2-41. Another victim Yenrry Bermudez had a record of 7-25-2 when he lost an eight-round decision to Mendez last year. A southpaw, Mendez has a 13-1 record, with 5 KOs. His only loss was a decision to Leyman Benavides in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he has fought in eight bouts.
?We?re very optimistic of this defense because of Vic?s experience and skill level,? said Saludar?s manager Kenneth Rontal. ?However, our concern is Mendez? hometown advantage. We?ve already requested the WBO president (Paco Valcarcel) to provide a neutral referee and neutral judges.?
Saludar is deep in training with coach Jojo Palacios and chief sparmate Dave Apolinario in General Santos City. His team will leave for San Juan on Aug. 19. Apolinario, 20, is a 5-5 lefthander like Mendez and has a record of 11-0, with 6 KOs. Palacios has trained Saludar in his last five fights which he swept.
Making weight is no problem for Saludar. ?Vic is comfortable at 105,? said Rontal. ?He has no difficulty getting the weight so we are in good condition. Vic is happy in training camp every time we do it in General Santos so he?s doing well. We don?t really like to make presumptions on percentage chances of winning. But we?re positive on the outcome.?
The fight will be broadcast live on Wapa Deportes and is the first boxing event in the Ballroom of the Puerto Rico Convention Center. PR Best Boxing Promotions president Ivan Rivera said it will be an edition of the Casino Metro Boxing Nights series. ?We have worked hard to bring this fight to Puerto Rico and we managed to do it here,? said Raul Pastrana, president of Spartan Boxing which represents Mendez. ?We are confident that Bimbito can become a world champion and fill the emptiness of champions we have at the moment.?
Through the years, Puerto Rico has produced several world champions, including Carlos Ortiz, Wilfred Benitez, McJoe Arroyo, Danny Garcia, Miguel Cotto, Felix Trinidad, Wilfredo Vazquez, Hector Camacho, Wilfredo Gomez and Jose Torres but there is no reigning Puerto Rican world titlist today.
Photo: WBO minimumweight champion Vic Saludar (right) lands a right flush on challenger Masataka Taniguchi?s face in his first title defense in Tokyo last February.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026